ST. PAUL - In 2020, the St. Paul & District Hospital Foundation narrowly escaped the COVID-19 pandemic, with its annual gala falling just a couple weeks prior to the onset of the pandemic in Alberta.
But, 2021 wasn't so kind. The gala typically takes place the first weekend of March, and aims to raise thousands of dollars for the St. Therese - St. Paul Healthcare Centre. Last year, the gala was sold out and as a result a wish list of equipment was purchased, with over $100,000 being raised.
This year, the foundation board has decided to simply sit back and wait out the current situation.
Some other options are being explored to gather funds, but those details have yet to be finalized. The St. Paul foundation is run entirely by volunteers and has no paid staff to organize or coordinate extra fundraising efforts.
Noreen Brousseau, chair of the foundation, confirmed that the foundation is "laying very low," and can only meet virtually right now.
She adds that the group didn't feel it was responsible to approach the community and solicit for donations in 2021.
"It’s not fair to ask for donation," she says, pointing to the challenges many businesses are facing due to the pandemic.
With a new surgeon recently arriving in St. Paul, Brousseau says she's aware there may be some requests for specific pieces of equipment, but the foundation has yet to receive that request. She adds that if there was an emergent need, the foundation does have some funds to make such a purchase.
Overall, it's simply "a waiting game," says Brousseau.
In the meantime, anyone interested in donating to the foundation can do so by addressing the donation to the St. Paul & District Hospital Foundation and leaving it at the front desk of the hospital. And on that note, Brousseau says she would like to send out a thank-you to all the employees of the St. Paul hospital for working through the pandemic.
She also encourages residents to abide by public health measures in place, and asks everyone to do their part to get through this time.
“We will celebrate when it’s time to celebrate.”
